Joe Bonamassa recently shared insights about Ozzy Osbourne’s approach to selecting guitarists. He revealed the rock legend’s competitive mindset when it came to guitar talent. The comments were made in an interview with Guitar Player.
Bonamassa discussed Ozzy’s history of working with exceptional guitarists and his specific requirements for the role.
“When you talk about the great guitar players that played with Ozzy Osbourne — I mean Tony Iommi, obviously, in Black Sabbath, [but also] Brad Gillis, Jake E. Lee, Zakk Wylde, Randy Rhoads,” Bonamassa said. “So he always required someone on the guitar that was forward-thinking and hungry.”
The guitarist went on to reveal Ozzy’s competitive approach to finding talent.
“I read a quote from Ozzy himself [where he said] he wanted someone who wanted to kick Eddie Van Halen’s butt on guitar,” Bonamassa continued. “And that was a thing for him. And his music really required a very specialized guitarist because it was very simple music, but people like Zakk Wylde, they put their own stamp on it.”
Bonamassa’s comments shed light on the rigorous process Ozzy employed when searching for guitarists throughout his solo career. This journey began after his departure from Black Sabbath in 1979.
American Songwriter reported that Ozzy’s audition process was famously rigorous and sometimes bizarre. He sifted through countless guitarists including many “Eddie Van Halen clones” who tried to outdo Van Halen’s style with flashy but uninspired playing. The Prince of Darkness was particularly frustrated with guitarists who focused solely on technical showmanship without bringing originality to his music.
The search for the right guitarist often led to unexpected discoveries. Guitar World noted that Ozzy initially dismissed Zakk Wylde during auditions after seeing his photo. He thought Wylde was just another Randy Rhoads clone. However, once he heard Wylde play, Ozzy’s perspective completely changed. He later described Randy as looking “like an ant” next to Zakk’s powerful presence and unique style.
Zakk Wylde’s eventual selection proved Ozzy’s instincts were correct. Guitar World highlighted that Wylde’s long and influential tenure with Ozzy helped define the guitarist sound that Ozzy’s fans expect today. Wylde’s approach was distinct from the flashy virtuosity that Ozzy disliked. It aligned perfectly with the singer’s preference for guitarists who could bring originality and personality rather than technical showmanship alone.
The comments highlight Ozzy’s strategic approach to building his band and his desire to work with guitarists who could bring their own unique style to his music. This ultimately created some of the most memorable partnerships in rock history.
